Findings reveal scale of ancient salt industry in Jiangsu

Individual grains may be small in size, but the story of salt reflects a grand picture of economics, politics, and national governance in China.

The famous debate held in the imperial court of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) in 81 BC, Discourses on Salt and Iron, kept high officials and scholars arguing for months over economic policies, beginning with whether to maintain monopolies on producers of salt and iron.

Throughout Chinese history, a variety of key positions and facilities were set up around the country, particularly along the Grand Canal, to strictly supervise and manage production, transportation and sale of this crucial ingredient, which is closely tied to the lifeblood of the economy.